My name is Mike and I live right on the edge of Dartmoor, in the National Park, I am a retired Water Bailiff and have been working Spaniels for sometime now, and I am about to get another ESS puppy, it is only 2 weeks old so another 6 or 7 weeks before we pick him up.
I am not new to training Spaniels, this one being my fifth, but my current dog, Monty the Sprocker, is now 10 years old, and like most of them he has suddenly got old bless him. He has been a wonderful companion in the shooting/beating field, but he struggles with a full day, luckily I also have my daughters ESS who is a few years younger, so he is my go to dog for this and next season. Monty will enjoy a very well earned retirement now, with just the odd drive until it is time for him to sit in front the fire.
The trouble is I have forgotten many of the basics! So I may dip into you guys for some advice, you are never too old to learn.
I run the beating line on my local shoot and beat on another. Nothing big, a good day for us is 40/50 birds, I muck in with the feeding and really enjoy the social side too.......My wife thinks too much sometimes.
. I also like a bit of Stalking and pest control with my .243 or .22 for those rabbits.I currently have Training Spaniels by Joe Irvine, a great book, but is there another you think I should get?
Cheers like minded friends, look forward to engaging with you all.
Dartmoordog.
